Content and Mechanism of Action of National Antimicrobial Stewardship Interventions on Management of Respiratory Tract Infections in Primary and Community Care.

A major modifiable factor contributing to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is inappropriate use and overuse of antimicrobials, such as antibiotics. This study aimed to describe the content and mechanism of action of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions to improve appropriate antibiotic use for respiratory tract infections (RTI) in primary and community care. This study also aimed to describe who these interventions were aimed at and the specific behaviors targeted for change.

Reducing expectations for antibiotics in primary care: a randomised experiment to test the response to fear-based messages about antimicrobial resistance.

Background: To reduce inappropriate antibiotic use, public health campaigns often provide fear-based information about antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Meta-analyses have found that fear-based campaigns in other contexts are likely to be ineffective unless respondents feel confident they can carry out the recommended behaviour ('self-efficacy'). This study aimed to test the likely impact of fear-based messages, with and without empowering self-efficacy elements, on patient consultations/antibiotic requests for influenza-like illnesses, using a randomised design.

Reducing Primary Care Attendance Intentions for Pediatric Respiratory Tract Infections.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate a theory and evidence-based, parent-targeted online intervention, combining microbiological local syndromic surveillance data, symptom information, and home-care advice, to reduce primary care attendance for self-limiting, low-risk pediatric respiratory tract infections (RTIs).

Methods: The effect of this novel intervention on primary care attendance intentions was evaluated in an online experimental study. A representative sample of mothers (n = 806) was randomly assigned to receive the intervention material before (intervention) or after (control) answering questions concerning attendance intentions for an RTI illness scenario and mediating factors.

Perceived addiction to smoking and associations with motivation to stop, quit attempts and quitting success: A prospective study of English smokers.

Aims: Some argue that perceived addiction to smoking (PAS) might undermine motivation to stop. We examined the association of PAS with motivation to stop in a population sample and assessed its association with past and future quit attempts and future quit success.

Method: 12,700 smokers in England were surveyed between September 2009-March 2012 as part of the Smoking Toolkit Study.

Does consistent motivation to stop smoking improve the explanation of recent quit attempts beyond current motivation? A cross-sectional study.

Aims: In seeking to provide more accurate models of population quit attempt rates, this study assessed whether a single self-report measure of consistent motivation to stop smoking adds useful explanatory power over and above an established measure of current motivation to stop.

Method: Data from 16,657 current smokers in England were collected between October 2012 and June 2017 using cross-sectional household surveys. Smokers were asked whether they had made a serious quit attempt in the past year and they answered two questions on motivation to stop (current motivation and consistent motivation to stop smoking).

The Community Integration Questionnaire - Revised: Australian normative data and measurement of electronic social networking.

Background/aim: Consideration of the relationship between meaningful participation, health and wellbeing underpins occupational therapy intervention, and drives measurement of community integration following acquired brain injury (ABI). However, utility of community integration measures has been limited to date by lack of normative data against which to compare outcomes, and none examine the growing use of electronic social networking (ESN) for social participation. This research had four aims: (i) develop and pilot items assessing ESN to add to the Community Integration Questionnaire, producing the Community Integration Questionnaire-Revised (CIQ-R); (ii) examine factor structure of the CIQ-R; (iii) collect Australian CIQ-R normative data; and (iv) assess test-retest reliability of the revised measure.

Assessing population-wide behaviour change: concordance of 10-year trends in self-reported and observed sun protection.

Objectives: Increases in socially desirable responses in self-reports might occur in the context of ongoing public education. We examine concordance of trends in two long-term studies monitoring population impact for SunSmart.

Methods: One study employed telephone interviews of Melbourne residents; the other entailed observations at public recreation venues across Melbourne.

Children's sun exposure and sun protection: prevalence in Australia and related parental factors.

Background: Reducing childhood exposure to ultraviolet radiation is important to minimize lifetime skin cancer risk.

Objectives: We sought to describe the prevalence of children's sun-related behaviors and associated parental and other factors.

Methods: In weekly cross-sectional telephone interviews during summer, 1140 parents/guardians of children aged 0 to 11 years were recruited.

The role of overweight and obesity in perceived risk factors for cancer: implications for education.

Epidemiological evidence indicates that obesity plays an important role in cancer incidence. A telephone survey of 1,433 adults, aged 18+ years who reported their knowledge and beliefs regarding behavioral risk factors for cancer, was conducted. Most respondents believed that people can take steps to reduce cancer risk; however, many, particularly obese respondents, did not rate being overweight as a very important risk factor.

Predictors of smoking relapse by duration of abstinence: findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Survey.

Aim: To explore predictors of smoking relapse and how predictors vary according to duration of abstinence.

Design, Setting And Participants: A longitudinal survey of 1296 ex-smokers recruited as part of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Survey (Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and United States). Measurements Quitters were interviewed by telephone at varying durations of abstinence (from 1 day to approximately 3 years) and then followed-up approximately 1 year later.

The natural history of quitting smoking: findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Survey.

Aims: To describe the long-term natural history of a range of potential determinants of relapse from quitting smoking.

Design, Setting And Participants: A survey of 2502 ex-smokers of varying lengths of time quit recruited as part of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Survey (Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States) across five annual waves of surveying.

Measurements: Quitters were interviewed by telephone at varying durations of abstinence, ranging from 1 to 1472 days (about 4 years) post-quitting.

Prevalence and determinants of Australian adolescents' and adults' weekend sun protection and sunburn, summer 2003-2004.

Background: Reducing people's exposure to ultraviolet radiation is the primary strategy for skin cancer prevention.

Objective: We sought to provide comprehensive national data on preventive behaviors and risk assessment for Australia.

Methods: A national survey was conducted in summer 2003-2004.

Weekend sun protection and sunburn in Australia trends (1987-2002) and association with SunSmart television advertising.

Background: The Australian state of Victoria has run a population-based skin cancer prevention program called SunSmart since 1988, incorporating substantial public education efforts and environmental change strategies. Trends over 15 years in behavioral risk factors for skin cancer were examined in a population exposed to the SunSmart program. Whether outcomes were associated with extent of SunSmart television advertising was then assessed.